Despite his wonderful skills, he couldn't single-handedly stop the Blues from being relegated at the end of his first season, by which time he was perhaps the most coveted player in Europe and had the pick of some of the biggest clubs in world football.
Yet, instead of jumping ship, he opted to sign a new deal and set about
trying to help his beloved Blues back into the Premiership whilst subjecting himself to two, sometimes three markers all with the simple mandate: stop Kinkladze by any means possible. Often hacked and bullied by seasoned opponents, he came back for more and played under a succession of
managers in a poor team.
It seemed almost cruel that fan power convinced him to remain with the club for one more season when he should have been displaying his mesmeric
talents in La Liga or Serie A, and by the end of his third season with City, his career had stalled as the club were relegated again, this time to Division Two.
Kinky's days at Maine Road were numbered from the minute Joe Royle arrived as manager, with the new boss determined to offload a player he
felt the club and fans had an unhealthy obsession with. The funds of his £5.5m sale to Ajax helped keep the Blues afloat and able to rebuild and return stronger, while Kinky's largely disastrous time in Holland further hindered his progress.
He returned to England with struggling Derby County and, after wooing the Rams faithful, took a chance on finding a new club in 2003. Trials at Portsmouth, Bolton and Leeds resulted in nothing, and in late 2004, after almost 18 months without a club, he joined up with his old friend Temuri Ketsbaia and is currently playing for Anorthosis Famagusta in Cyprus.
Kinkladze: The Perfect 10, traces the highs and lows of this most gifted player, from his days in Georgia, Germany and Argentina, to his time at City, Ajax, Derby and beyond. It is a celebration of a career that should have been much more with views from those who know him best.
Uplifting and, at times, sad, the story of Gio Kinkladze will reveal the answer to the question often asked by the fans who adored him at the clubs he played for - was he really the perfect 10 - or not?
David Clayton is editor of the official Manchester City Magazine and has written several books on the club including Blue Blood: The Mike Doyle Story, Everything Under the Blue Moon, The Little Book of Man City and Maine Man: The Tony Book Story. He has also written two club annuals and assisted on the autobiographies of wrestler Al Marquette and former world snooker champion John Spencer, as well as writing for the Manchester Evening News and The Guardian.
A lifelong Blue, he saw his first game in August 1977 and has been smitten and disgusted with his club - in equal measure - ever since. He lives in Chorlton with his wife Sarah and two children, Jaime Nicole and Harry Ethan. His all-time favourite player - not surpisingly - is Gio Kinkladze.
PAPERBACK - 232 PAGES - 50 PHOTOGRAPHS. Available in shops from March 1. Mail order at the special price of £8.95 (RRP £9.95) POST FREE (UK only) from: The Parrs Wood Press, St Wilfrid''s Enterprise Centre, Royce Road, Manchester M15 5BJ
Credit Card/Overseas Orders and Enquiries: Tel/Fax: +44 (0)161 226 4466, or Email: sport@parrswoodpress.com